Inhibition of C-reactive protein in morbidly obese patients after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND

Obesity is considered a low-grade chronic inflammatory condition as reflected by increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Inflammation is emerging as a predictor of cardiovascular disease and it may be a precursor of the metabolic syndrome. Bariatric surgery is commonly performed as a treatment for morbid obesity offering significant reductions in premature myocardial infarction. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a relatively new bariatric procedure that is currently used as a definitive procedure for weight loss. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of sleeve gastrectomy on CRP levels.

METHODS

This study is part of an ongoing, prospective, cohort study to evaluate LSG impact on iron indices. CRP levels were compared preoperatively and 6 months after surgery. Similarly, demographics including body mass index and excess weight were also compared at these same study points. Data were analyzed using Student paired t test and Pearson product moment correlation analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine morbidly obese patients were included. There was significant decrease in body mass index (BMI) between the preoperative and 6-month period (50.9 +/- 13.2 and 35.1 +/- 6.85, respectively; P < 0.001). Also CRP levels were statistically significantly lower at 6 months after surgery (preoperative 12.3 +/- 7.53 mg/L and postoperative 5.6 +/- 4.2 mg/L. P < 0.0001). The significant weight loss as reflected by change in BMI was correlated with the difference between preoperative and postoperative CRP levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Massive weight loss in morbidly obese patients induced by LSG causes a significant decrease in CRP levels, which could reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in these patients.